The Board Brief
November 21, 2019
This edition of The Board Brief is a summary of the information presented and actions taken at the Board of Education’s meetings on November 21, 2019.
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Actions
Board Approves Certification of ESPLOST Results
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved the resolution to certify the November 5, 2019, Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) election results. During the election voters voiced their support with a 76 percent passing vote for the continuation of the ESPLOST. Collections for the renewed education sales tax will begin January 1, 2021. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Naming of New Elementary School
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved the naming of New Elementary #4 as Rileydale Elementary School. Per Policy FDC – Naming Facilities, upon the construction of a new school or facility, school consolidations, re-use of a school or facility, or the closing a school, a committee must be appointed to make a recommendation as to the naming or renaming of the school or facility.
As part of the most recent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST), the Board of Education approved the construction of a new elementary school to be built upon the consolidation of Riley and Brookdale Elementary Schools. Establishing a name for the new school assists the architects and construction manager as they progress in the construction process. Additionally, a naming committee consisting of Board Vice President Dr. Sundra Woodfood, Treasurer Dr. Thelma D. Dillard, Principal Sonya Coley and two community members worked cohesively to respect the legacy of both Joseph B. Riley and Brookdale Elementary Schools. Meetings were held and open to the public and stakeholders were encouraged to attend and share feedback with the committee. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Retaining Law Firm to face JUUL Labs
On Thursday, November 21, the District authorized retaining the law firms of John T. Mitchell, Jr., LLC and Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC to represent the Bibb County School District in any and all claims the District may have against JUUL Labs Inc. Recently, the District was made aware of a consolidated federal lawsuit involving multiple school districts. The consolidated federal lawsuit involves JUUL Labs and its production and marketing of e-cigarette devices. Across the nation, many students are using e-cigarette devices. It has been reported that the use of the e-cigarette devices in the school environment could impact the health of the students.
The District retained the legal services of above-referenced law firms to prosecute any potential claim or claims on behalf of the District for damages and costs incurred by the District related to the use of JUUL e-cigarette devices by students in schools within Bibb County School District and the impact the use of these devices by students on the resources and educational mission of the District. For more information, click here.
Board OKs Funding for Access Control at New Appling Middle School
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized funding to install access control equipment at the new Appling Middle School on Upper River Road. All Bibb County School District facilities include access control systems at entry points for safety and security. The request includes all equipment components, material and labor to install access control devices at each entry point for the new Appling Middle School.
The access control technology will be paid for with Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) funds. The new Appling Middle School will open in August 2020. For more information, click here.
Board Authorizes Termination of Intergovernmental Agreement with Land Bank Authority
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized termination of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) dated April 21, 2016, with the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Kitchen Equipment for New Elementary
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved the purchase of new kitchen equipment for the new elementary school under construction on Greenbriar Road in Macon. As part of the new construction, new kitchen equipment is required. For more information, click here.
Board Authorizes Natural Gas Agreement
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into an agreement with Georgia Municipal Association for natural gas services through Gas South. This agreement is expected to save the District approximately $50,000 due to the cost per therm being set at 0.229. The previous agreement cost per therm was set at 0.574. For more information, click here.
Board Authorizes WiSH Printing Contract
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized the District to enter into a contractual agreement with Ricoh America for Managed Print Services through WiSH Printing. This is a one-year agreement with the option of renewal for the next four years.
The Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Department established WiSH Printing as the District’s in-house print shop about five years ago. This partnership with Ricoh allows students in the Graphic Arts pathway to operate the District’s print shop by performing jobs for a variety of internal and external clients. This provides students the opportunity to apply and develop the skills they have acquired within the classroom to a practical learning setting while gaining real world experience. For more information, click here.
Board Members Renew Workers Compensation Excess Insurance Policy
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized the renewal of the District’s workers compensation excess insurance policy with Safety National Casualty Corporation for the policy period of January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2021. The premium to renew this policy is $130,315.00. For more information, click here.
Board OKs Upgrade to Audio/Visual/EPIC System at Burdell-Hunt
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved funding to purchase Audio/Video/EPIC Intercom Safe Alert equipment for Burdell-Hunt Magnet School. All Bibb County School District classrooms include audio amplification with classroom video and safe alert systems, but Burdell-Hunt has been selected as the District’s pilot elementary school to showcase the latest Audio Enhancement audio, video and EPIC intercom safety system. Northeast High School and Weaver Middle School recently received the upgraded safety system.
Burdell-Hunt will become the training elementary site for the EPIC school safety features while providing needed replacement equipment. All existing equipment that is operable will be redistributed to replace inoperable equipment throughout the District. For more information, click here.
Board Approves HikVision Camera Purchase
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved the purchase of cameras from B&H, an authorized dealer of HikVision products. The District received a grant from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Facility Security Department for security upgrade and enhancement. The funds will be reimbursed by the GaDOE upon the purchase of the equipment. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Transfer of Property and Development Agreement
On Thursday, November 21, Board members authorized the transfer of Hartley Elementary School properties tract B and tract C to Macon Athletics, LLC. These properties behind Hartley Elementary School will be used for the construction of a sports complex. For more information, click here.
Additionally, Board members approved a development and operations agreement with Macon Athletics, LLC for the construction of the state-of-the-art sports complex. For more information, click here.
Board Authorizes Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement for Project Bengal
On Thursday, November 21, the Board authorized the District to amend the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) relating to the distribution of payments in lieu of taxes with regard to “Project Bengal,” which has been publicly identified as Irving Consumer Products Inc. The amended IGA will allow Irving to proceed with a second phase of the original project. For more information, click here.
Board OKs Amendment to Parking Garage Agreement
On Thursday, November 21, the Board approved the termination of the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, Parking License Agreement, and the Release and Satisfaction of Operating and UDAG Loan Agreement regarding the parking garage located at 440 Mulberry Street in Macon. For more information, click here.
Board Approves Amendment to MOU with United Way of Central Georgia
On Thursday, November 21, authorized an amendment to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Way of Central Georgia to acknowledge the funders of the AARP Foundation Experience Corps partnerships that operate under the United Way of Central Georgia’s Read United education initiative. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Policies
Board members reviewed various policies for first or second reading on November 21. Policies must be read twice before they may be voted on for final action. To review the policies, click here.
- PR-1 Revision of Policy FDC – Naming Facilities (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-2 Revision of Policy FHCA – Names on Building Plaques (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-3 Revision of Policy IDFA – Gender Equity in Sports (ACTION – Second Reading)
- PR-4 Revision of Policy GAHB – Staff Political Activities (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-5 Revision of Policy GAI – Solicitations (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-6 Revision of Policy GAKA – Reduction in Force (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-7 Revision of Policy GBRL – Employee Dress Code (INFORMATION – First Reading)
- PR-8 Revision of Policy ED – Student Transportation Management (INFORMATION – First Reading)
Stakeholders are encouraged to review policies posted after first reading and make public comment via Simbli before the proposed policies are brought back before the Board for action the following month. Simbli may be accessed through the District’s website, www.bcsdk12.net, under “About Us” and “Simbli.” On Simbli, “Pending Policies” will appear on the right side of the screen.
Personnel Items Approved
On Thursday, November 21, Board members approved various personnel items. To view all personnel items, click here.
Information
Board Receives Presentation from Vizitech
On Thursday, November 21, Board members received a presentation from Vizitech. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Presentation About Core Six Essential Strategies
On Thursday, November 21, Board members received a presentation in regards to the Core Six Essential Strategies, the District’s literacy plan. The purpose of Core Six is to expose all District instructional leaders to simple, high-yielding instructional strategies. These strategies will capture students’ interests by using discussion and questioning techniques to extend their thinking, so they can synthesize and transfer their learning. This initiative aligns with the District’s strategic priority of getting students reading on grade level. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Administrative Placement Rubric
On Thursday, November 21, Board members received a presentation on the District’s administrative placement rubric. In the second year of implementation, the rubric serves as a guideline for administrators to utilize if a student does not pass the Georgia Milestones re-test. Final grades and attendance are two portions of criteria. If administratively placed, students are enrolled in targeted remediation. For more information, click here.
Board Reviews Monthly Financial Report
On Thursday, November 21, Board members reviewed the District’s monthly financial report. For more information, click here.
Board Receives Presentation from Capital Improvement Program
On Thursday, November 21, Board members received a presentation in regards to the 2011 and 2016 Capital Improvement Program including information on expenditures and encumbrances. For more information, click here.
Board Informed of Policies for December 2019 Committee/Board Meeting
On Thursday, November 21, received notification the District will be presenting the following policies for first reading at the December 12, 2019, regular board meeting: MDA – Shared Services/RESA’s; KBB – School-Sponsored Information Media; IDCH – Dual Enrollment; JCDAA – Student Tobacco Use; GAN – Employee Tobacco Use. The Board of Education and District are working collaboratively to review and update policies. The above-referenced policies are being shared in advance of the first reading to allow comments and suggestions from all stakeholders related to the policies. The Board and District want to allow every stakeholder an opportunity to share comments and suggestions that will be considered in the revision of a policy. For more information, click here.
Highlights and Recognitions
District Financial Report Honored for 20th Year
For the 20th consecutive year, the District is being recognized with a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association. This award, which comes with an Award for Financial Reporting Achievement for Chief Financial Officer Ron Collier, Executive Director of Accounting Sharon Roberts and their staff, recognizes accounting and financial reporting in the comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the 2018 fiscal year.
ESPLOST Leaders Recognized for Efforts
The Board recognized Cynthia Busbee, Ron Shipman and Bruce Leicht for their leadership during the recent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) campaign. Due in large part to their efforts, this education tax renewal was approved by voters on November 5, 2019.
Westside Assistant Principal a Finalist for State Award
The Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals annually recognizes school administrators for their efforts at the middle and high school levels. These leaders, both principals and assistant principals, are honored for their involvement in a variety of crucial areas of school life.
This year, Westside High School Assistant Principal Dr. Barbara P. Bazor was chosen as one of five finalists for the GASSP Assistant Principal of the Year Award. This places her in the top five among all middle and high school assistant principals in the state.
Vineville Academy Wins School Bell Award
Every year, the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals presents the School Bell Award to no more than 10 schools across the state. These schools are recognized for having innovative programs in the area of curriculum and organizational leadership. For the fourth consecutive year, Vineville Academy of the Arts was chosen for the award, this time for “School of Dance: Panda Dance.”
Board Recognizes BSN for All-Star Game Partnership
BSN has been a key partner for the District Athletic Department and is continuing that relationship with the upcoming Bibb-Houston County All-Star Game. The Board recognized BSN for the company’s role in the game, including donating jerseys for the senior football players to wear during the action.